mselves, who have
distinct employments. 3. If preaching presbyters only should here be
meant, and under that phrase (_that rule well_) their whole office in
general, and the right managing thereof, should be contained, whereas
_laboring in the word and doctrine_ (as this exception implies) is but
one part thereof, then hence it would inevitably follow, that a minister
deserves more honor for the well administration of one part of his
office only, than for the well managing of the whole, which is absurd!
Here therefore the apostle doth not compare one primary part of the
pastor's office, with the whole office and all the parts thereof; but
one sort of presbyters with another, distinguishing the mere ruling
presbyter from the ruling and preaching presbyter, as the acute and
learned Whitaker hath well observed.

_Except_. 12. It is evident in the text itself, that all these elders
here meant were worthy of double honor, whether they labored or
governed; which by St. Paul's proofs, presently following, and by the
consent of all old and new writers, is meant of their maintenance at the
charges of the Church.[89] Now that lay-judges and censors of manners
were in the apostle's time found at the expense of the Church, or by
God's law ought to have their maintenance at the people's hands, till I
see it justly proved, I cannot believe it: which yet must be proved
before this construction can be admitted.[90]

_Ans_. 1. This word _honor_ signifies (after the custom of the Hebrews,
Exod. xx. 12) all pious offices and relief. This phrase (_double honor_)
interpreters expound either absolutely or comparatively. Absolutely
thus: _double honor_, i.e. great honor, so some; maintenance in this
life, happiness in the life to come, so others; honor of reverence to
their persons, and of maintenance for their labors, so Chrysostom, of
which saith Calvin, "That Chrysostom interprets double honor to be
maintenance and reverence, I impugn not." Comparatively thus: _double
honor_ here seems to relate to what was before spoken, ver. 3, "Honor
widows that are widows indeed." Now here he intimates, that though
widows are to be honored, yet these should be much more honored; they
should have single, these double honor. In this last sense, which seems
most genuine, it seems most likely that the apostle here intended
principally, if not only, the honor of maintenance; partly because the
honor appointed for widows, ver. 3, &c., was only maintenance;